Monthly Archives: August 2014

Three Things To Consider When Choosing Your Confectionery Packaging

CandyFolding5

Asher’s Candy Packaging

The packaging of confectionery should always be so beautifully designed that it evokes the expectations of what’s inside – a yummy and delectable delight. At the same time, the package must be designed with function as a priority since it’s essential that the packaging preserves the product inside and protects the freshness, flavor, and aroma.

So when choosing the right package design and materials for confectionery products, there are three main primary considerations.

  1. What does the package need to do? Meaning, how does it need to function? Does the package need special consideration based on the contents? Does it require specific dimensions for shipping, storing, and display? Start here since these initial questions will cover the basics that can be forgotten when a beautiful design is presented.
  2. What does the package need to look like? This is where some basic considerations must revolve around the customer and their attitudes. Does the customer need to see the product inside and if so, is that a possibility? What will excite the customer and entice them to pick this up off the shelf? Will the outside expectations meet the inside expectations? Also, consider your company’s brand standards and maybe even take a peak at the competition to see what they look like and the materials they are using for their packaging.
  3. How will the product ship, store, and be displayed? These questions will determine how the product will move through the process and what needs to happen at each stage. For instance, is the product very delicate? If so, be sure that the outer packaging can handle the transport from location-to-location with minimal effect. Also, if you choose specific dimensions, how will that affect how they are stored and displayed on the shelf (and of course, which shelves will be displaying the product)?

These initial considerations will get the wheels turning and put you in the mindset for candyfolding17collaborating with packaging experts to choose the best design and materials for a confectionery package.

In the end, a great confectionery package will provide:

  • High visual impact to create brand value
  • Strength to protect the product
  • Preservation of the product flavor

Don’t settle for anything less.

Environmental Impact: Should It Be a Consideration?

Credit: http://www.nestle.com/csv/case-studies/allcasestudies/easter_eg_-packaging_uk

Credit: http://www.nestle.com/csv/case-studies/allcasestudies/easter_eg_-packaging_uk

In 2012, Nestle UK & Ireland became the first major confectioner to announce that its entire Easter egg packaging would become 100 percent recyclable. Nestle made this move in an effort to reduce waste and did it by transforming their existing rigid plastic packaging with a more environmentally-friendly option, paperboard packaging.

Nestle’s goal was two fold:

  1. To provide value to society by using fewer resources and energy from nature and producing less waste to contribute to a cleaner environment.
  2. To provide value to Nestle by lowering costs and becoming more environmentally sustainable.

With Nestle’s focus on reducing their carbon footprint and providing value for the community and environment, it got many companies asking this: Is sustainable packaging something we should consider?

Because there are sustainable options and ways to transform quality packaging into sustainable packaging without compromising the end product, it might be a viable option for companies looking to make the move – or it may not.

A great way to determine if this strategy might make sense is to revisit the core values and mission of your company – does sustainable packaging fit into your values and within your bottom line goals? Is your community and environmental impact something that matters to the company and the internal/external culture? If that is the case, then go ahead and explore the options. Get quotes and compare the cost impact and also very clearly understand the environmental impacts and how you can communicate that to your stakeholders.

On the other side, if sustainability isn’t a concern that is at the forefront of your business model and isn’t inherent in the company’s mission, sustainability might be a backburner consideration and could be tabled…at least for now. While this consideration should not completely vanish (we guarantee this subject will come up in the near future as retailers and government agencies try to reform standards), just be clear as to why it isn’t a priority for the company at this point in time.

For more on sustainable packaging, visit The Sustainable Packaging Coalition